The Promise of India's Secular Democracy

Rajeev Bhargava

The Promise of India's Secular Democracy

Rajeev Bhargava

Description

These essays are written over the last two decades by Rajeev Bhargava, one of the most insightful commentators on philosophical and historical questions around secularism. The topics covered are the democratic vision of the new republic of India, the evolution and distinctiveness of India's linguistic federalism, the distinctiveness of Indian secularism, India's secular constitution, and Muslim personal law and the majority-minority syndrome.

The essays are crucial to the debates about secularism. They raise and answer important questions pertaining to it. This collection has one common thread running through the chapters--democracy and India. The topics covered are highly significant not only for India, but for the modern world in general. It is a part of regular reading for courses on religion and secularism.

The Promise of India's Secular Democracy

Rajeev Bhargava

Table of Contents

Introduction1. Democratic Vision of a New Republic: India, 19502. The Evolution and Distinctiveness of India's Linguistic Federalism3. Indian Secularism: An Alternative, Trans-cultural Ideal4. History, Nation and Community5. Between Revenge and Reconciliation: Gandhi and Truth Commissions6. Muslim Personal Law and the Majority-Minority Syndrome7. On the Persistent Under-representation of Muslims in India8. Inclusion and Exclusion in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh: The Role of Religion9. Liberal, Secular Democracy and Explanations of Hindu Nationalism10. The Ethical Insufficiency of Egoism and Altruism: India in Transition11. The Right to Culture12. Secular States and Religious Education: The Indian Debate13. Indian Democracy and Well-being: Employment as a Right14. Academic Freedom in IndiaAppendix: Strands of Secularism

The Promise of India's Secular Democracy

Rajeev Bhargava

Author Information

Rajeev Bhargava is Director at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) in India.